Retarder for dispensing mechanism for articles in a stack



N 1954 D. c. HAFLEY ETAL RETARDER FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN A STACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1962 A m S L m NE m LN A FY N A. H cM MK mi 5 DHw 24, 1964 D. c. HAFLEY ETAL RETARDER FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN A STACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1962 INVENTORS m g U W MM M G Q M Y1 mRL. Mp DHWM Nov. 2 1964 D. c. HAFLEY ETAL 3,158,290

RETARDER FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN A STACK 4 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed NOV. 21, 1962 m Gm m0 S: 0 3 mi 3% Y m: m 1 1 I I wm mm mm m L W 0 E o n m Ym M A H G emf mi A BMW Nov. 24, 96 D. c. HAFLEY ETAL 3,158,290

RETARDBR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN A STACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 21, 1962 b. BozuAom SOZHAOm zorwumqum zoz vwwum 02.. m

A H A mv L m ME m 2mm m U w M M fso mflm1- 7 5 Hum QUE United States Patent (3 3,1583% RETARDER FGR DKSPENSING MEQHANISM FOR ARTXCLES IN A STACK David C. Hailey, Harry R. Payne, and William G. Raoul, Chattanooga, Tenn, assignors, by rnesne assignments, to The Seehu rg Corporation, Chicago, ill, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 23., 1962, Ser. No. 239,192 5 Claims. (Cl. Hit-2%) This invention relates to a retarder for dispensing mechanism for dispensing a single article at a time from a plurality of articles arranged in a stack.

Even more particularly this invention relates to a retarder for a mechanism for dispensing a single article at a time from a stack of articles in which the dispensing mechanism is actuated by the weight of the articles in the stack of articles and release of the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a single article at a time from the stack of articles is actuated by electrically energized means with the retarder energized with the electrically energized means.

Even more particularly still this invention relates to a retarder for controlling the speed of actuation of a dispensing mechanism for dispensing one at a time an article such as a single can or bottle from a stack of articles, cans or bottles, hereinafter referred to for convenience as bottles, in which the weight of the bottles in the stack actuates the dispensing mechanism and the mechanism is released for dispensing of a bottle by electrically energized means which may be energized from any suitable source and controlled by any suitable switch mechanism which switch mechanism may preferably be actuated by the deposit of a coin and which switch mechanism also energizes the retarder.

At the present time articles such as bottles of popular beverages are usually stored for selective sale in refrigerated cabinets with coin-operated release mechanisms for dispensing one bottle at a time. In these cabinets the bottles may be disposed on sloping shelves arranged one shelf above the other or the bottles may be arranged in vertical stacks in side by side bins. In the first type of dispenser in which the bottles are arranged on sloping shelves the lowermost bottle on each shelf may move by gravity to a position where it can be withdrawn manually by the purchaser after a coin has been deposited to release a locking mechanism allowing withdrawal of one bottle for each deposit or" the correct coin or coins.

In the second type of apparatus in which the bottles are arranged vertically in columns in stacks in side by side bins various devices have been used for releasing one bottle at a time on the deposit of a suitable coin. This release mechanism may be driven by an electric motor and may move from beneath one [bottle in the selected column in the selected stack to a position beneath the next bottle to prevent more than one bottle from being dispensed at a time.

The first type of dispenser has advantages of relatively simple construction and the merchandise is visible for selection by the purchaser. A variety of types of beverage can be sold in this machine depending only on the number of sloping shelves provided. This multiplicity, of variety is disadvantageous to the bottler who may place the machine on location since the machine can then be used for vending products other than those of the bottler.

In the second type of dispenser in which the bottles are arranged in stacks it has been found that the practical size of the cooler, doors and the like of the apparatus limits the number of stacks side 'by side in the cabinet. The number of selections is therefore limited in a machine of maximum size. This is advantageous to the botfler since it limits the number of beverages that can be sold. A further advantage is that more botttles can be stored in the stack type dispenser than in the shelf type machine which is advantageous. However, in the stack machine, the delivery mechanism is usually motor-driven; it is expensive; and there is always the possibility of .a mechanical jam of the mechanism in the automatic, positive drive of the dispensing mechanism for the bottles.

Heretofore it has been proposed to dispense from stacks of articles or bottles less than two diameters of the articles or bottles in width with mechanism for holding the lowermost bottle in the stack fins-t on one side of the stack and then on the other side of the stack. One such proposal is found in the pending application of Harry R. Payne and lack M. Womack, Serial No. 98,062, filed March 24, 1961, now US. Patent No. 3,107,812 of October 22, 1963, for Dispensing Mechanism for Articles in Staggered Stack and owned by the assignee hereof. In the present invention there are two releasable bottle supports at the bottom of each staggered stack. One support lies directly in the downward path of bottles biased toward the left side of the bin, or stack, and the other support occupies a corresponding position for bottles biased to the right. At any given time the lower- 7 most bottle in the stack may be either a left hand or right hand bottle. Regardless of which side the lowermost bottle occupies, if it is supported or prevented from moving downward, all, bottles above it are also supported. In our invention release of whichever support is holding the lowermost bottle. allows that bottle to move downward and into dispensing position by gravity, and atthe same time locks the alternate support, so that the descending load of bottles is again supported by a member beneath the lowermost bottle. The retarder slows the speed of descent allowing the entirelo-ad of bottles to. be lowered gently onto the alternate support.

In the dispensing mechanism proposed in the present application the latch is actuated by the weight of the bottle to release the bottle 'to be dispensed and is moved by the weight of the bottles to position to latch the opposite support for the opposite and next bottle in the stack with the retarder slowing the speed of movement of the support beneath the bottle being dispensed to retard the speed of dispensing of the bottle and the move. ment of the other bottles in the stack.

The retarder for a dispensing mechanism of the pres.- ent concept is relatively inexpensive to make, use and service, and permits dispensing at a fast rate without fear of breakage of the bottles O r-damage. to the mechanism. The speed of actuation is, advantageousin rush hours, permitting maximum sales. The mechanism of the present concept issirnple to service; it eliminates. vending errors and is foolproof in operation and minimizes breakage of the. bottles.

The apparatus of the presentv concept is actuated in one step for each bottle dispensed. The stack of bottles is not dropped during each vending cycle but is lowered evenly and with controlled speed bythe retarder; This is. avery important advantage since it reduces the shock due to. the weight of the stack of bottles. Damage tobottles through rough. handling is always. a problem in vending, mechanisms and minimizing such damage is important. Non-return bottles are more fragile than the standard: returnable bottle and shock in the dispensing operationmust be reduced to a minimum toprevent breakage of such non,- return bottles. Lowering the entire stack of bottles evenly and with controlled speed, as in the present concept, is

dispensing non-return bottles. The retarder provided by the present concept so controls dispensing that resilient mounting of the apparatus need not be used to ease the shock on the stack of bottles during dispensing.

Heretofore various devices have been proposed for dispensing a single bottle at a time from a staggered stack of bottles. In none of these has the weight of the bottles been employed to actuate the dispensing mechanism with control of the mechanism eifected through electrically energized means and with regulator means electrically energized at the same time to control the speed of dispensing. In the present dispenser, when a coin is deposited or the switch in the electric circuit is momentarily closed, a short pulse of electric current passes to the electrically energized means which actuates this means. The retarder is energized at the same time. This means then lifts a latch which in turn releases a rock plate releasing a support beneath the lowermost bottle. The support beneath the lowermost bottle in the stack of bottles then moves to engage the retarder which slows the movement of the support. The support then moves the rock plate out of its path and into position to lock an opposite bottle support. The descending stack of bottles rotates the opposite bottle support arm into engagement with the rock plate and continues until the rock plate is rotated to its locked position, preventing further downward movement of the stack of bottles. The support arm continues to rotate in a downward direction under the weight of one bottle. This bottle only is then dispensed. The lowermost bottle thus moves with controlled speed to dispensing position and the stack of bottles moves slowly and with controlled speed downwardly until the next bottle in the stack of bottles engages the opposite bottle support. Thereafter, the first support returns to its upper and bottle supporting position with the rock plate locking the opposite bottle support against movement. The retarder remains energized after dispensing of the bottle until it returns to initial position for the next dispensing cycle and is then deenergized.

This cycle can be repeated as many times as there are bottles in the staggered stack of bottles so long as each cycle is started by the deposit of a coin or by the momentary closing of a switch in the electric circuit for the electrically energized means.

The electrically energized or actuated means may be a solenoid, an electric motor or other suitable electrically actuated device for lifting the latch. The retarder is preferably energized by an electric motor in the circuit with the device for lifting the latch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel dispensing mechanism for dispensing one at a time a single article such as a bottle from a stack of articles or bottles which mechanism is actuated by the weight of the bottles or articles in the stack at controlled speed and is released for dispensing a single article or hottle at a time by electrically energized means actuating a latch and with electrically actuated retarder means retarding the dispensing mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism in which the electrically energized means is a solenoid which is momentarily actuated, on the deposit of a coin or by the momentary closing of a switch in its circuit, to raise a latch. This permits a support beneath the lowermost bottle in the stack to swing clownwardly under the weight of the bottles into engagement with an electrically energized retarder to dispense the lowermost bottle in the stack at reduced speed. The next bottle in the stack engages an oppositely disposed support which prevents that bottle from being dispensed and supports all of the remaining bottles in the stack. The mechanism is so arranged that the first support, after permitting a bottle to be dispensed, returns to its upper position and the retarder returns to its initial position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism having spaced opposed pivoted sup- 4 ports for alternately supporting the bottles in the stack. The weight of the lowermost bottle and of the bottles thereabove in the stack is used to move the support adjacent the lowermost bottle downwardly into engagement with a stop mechanism which is locked in position by a solenoid actuated latch. This latch is released when the solenoid is momentarily energized, as by the deposit of a coin or by the momentary closing of a switch in the solenoid. circuit, to permit the weight of the bottles in the stack to move the adjacent support downwardly into engagement with an electrically energized speed retarder. The stop is moved from beneath the support so that the support may swing to position to dispense the lowermost bottle at controlled speed with the remainder of the bottles then being supported by the new lowermost bottle which engages the opposite support. This opposite support is prevented from dispensing movement by the stop. After dispensing the first bottle, the first support returns to its support position by the action of a spring and the retarder returns to its initial position.

Other and further objects of the present invention will appear from the following description of illustrative embodiments thereof.

The illustrative embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter should in no way be construed as defining or limiting the invention and reference should be had to the appended claims to determine the scope of the present inventive concept.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, FIG. 1 is a front View of an embodiment of the present invention showing the rela+ tive position of the parts thereof with the eccentric rotary retarder in lower position for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on the line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view of another embodiment of the present invention having a reciprocating bar retarder;

FIG. 4 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 on the line 4-4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the retarder of FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram for the solenoid release mechanism of FIGS. 1-4 and for the motor driven retarder of the several figures.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, bins for the stacks of bottles are provided having side walls 11 and 12 and a common center wall which are spaced and supported by end walls 14 and 14' (FIG. 4). The side wall and center wall of the bins are spaced apart less than twice the diameter of the bottles to be dispensed so that the bottles will lie between the walls in staggered stack in known manner it being apparent that the present concept is completely operative for the other types of vertical stacks of bottles. The end walls 14 and 14' are spaced to accommodate the length of the bottles to be dispensed. Brackets 15 are formed on the central portion of face plate 13. Solenoids 16 which are provided with plungers 17 are mounted on plate 13. Each plunger 17 has a rigid head 18 which in lowermost position engages outturned portion 19 of bracket 15. Arm 20 is pivotally mounted on plunger 17 at 21 and has shoulder 22. Arm 2b is provided with a latch engaging shoulder 23 which in its lowermost position lies beneath latch 24. Spring 29 pulls arm 20 toward its lower position'as seen in FIG. 2.

Latch 24 is carried by spindle 25 which is mounted for rotation in flanges 26 and 27 which are mounted, respectively, on face plate 13. Each latch 24 is spring biased by spring 28 to lowered position shown in the figures.

A face plate 30 has flanges 26 and 27 and is spaced from face plate 13. Face plate 39 is provided with horizontally anddownwardly turned upper extensions 31 and 32 to guide arm 20 and rock plate 35. Face plate 30 is bored adjacent its central lower portion at 33 to receive pivot 34- of rock plate 35. Rock plate 35 has an arcuate upper edge 35 which is provided with spaced stops 37 and 38. In standby position latch 24 lies between stops 37 and 38. Rock plate 35 is reduced in width below pivot 34- to form shank 39.. Beneath shank 39 rock plate 35 is widened to support tumbler plates 79! and Si). Tumbler plates 79 and 81 are pivoted at 42 and 43, respectively, on shank 39. Shank 39 has out'turncd portion 44 separating the tumbler plates. A spring 45 urges the tumbler plates into engagement with portion 44.

In the position shown in FIG. 1 tumbler plates 79 and 8t? overlie arcuate slots 46 and 47, respectively, which slots are let into front plate 13.

A bottle support rod 58 extends the full length of the device being journaled in back 14 and extending through arcuate slot 47. Rod 58 is provided with U-turned end portion 64) which is journaled in face plate 13 at 61.

An opposed bottle support rod 59 extends through arcuate slot 46 and is provided with a U-turned outer end 63 which is journaled at 64 in face plate. 13. Rod 53 is provided with a collar 66 and spring 67 extends between collar 66 and bracket 67 to resiliently hold rod 58 in its upper position. Rod 59 is provided with collar 61% and spring 69 extends between the collar 68 and side 12 to resiliently hold rod 5'9 in its upper position.

Bearings 81) and 81 are mounted on sides 11 and 12, respectively, and shaft 82 is mounted for rotation in bearings Silt and 81. Roller 33 is eccentrically mounted on shaft 82. Support rod 59 has extension 84 for engaging the surface of roller 33. Support rod 53 has exten sion 85 for engaging the surface of roller 83. Sprocket 8.6 is mounted on shaft 02 and receives endless drive chain 87 which passes around drive sprocket 83 mounted on shaft 89.01": electric motor i l Motor 99 is mounted on bracket 91 which in turn is mounted on side plate 12.

When a coin is placed in the mechanism in known manner, an electric circuit is completed as will be described in more detail hereinafter to a solenoid 16 and motor 90. Energizing solenoid 16 draws armature 1'7 upward and with it arm 26. Shoulder 23. of arm 21 is engaged beneath latch 24 and raises latch 24. Assuming that in the staggered stack of bottles in the mechanism the lowermost bottle is on the left side in the left stack, as seen in FIG. 1, and is there indicated as 76, the weight of the bottles in they staggered stack will bear upon bottle '76" and upon support 59 moving support 59 downward in slot 16 into engagement with tumbler plate 79 rotating rock plate 35 counterclockwise until stop 38 is against latch 24. When latch 24 is raised by solenoid 16, as just described, stop 38 moves beneath latch 24 with counterclockwise rotation of rock plate 35 about pivot 34 under the influence of the downward movement of the rod 59 in contact with the tumbler plate 79, the rock plate 35 having been released by removal of the latch 24: from engagement with stop 38.

Energization of solenoid 16 moves armature 17 upward and this movement continues until shoulder 23 of arm 26 disengages from latch 24. Spring 28 then snaps latch 24 downward onto arcuate surface 36 on the right side of stop 33. When solenoid 16 is deenergized spring 29 pulls arm 26 down to its initial position.

The rod 59 moves downward only a small distance for its extension 84 to contact roller 83. Meanwhile motor 9% is energized and commences slowly rotating roller 83 from its upper position, as seen in dotted line FIG; 1. Extension 84 of rod 59 bears on roller 33 and rod- 59 can move downward only at a speed permitted by rotation of roller 83. As the rod 59 rotates downward, it moves the tumbler plate 79 out of its path through counterclockwise rotation imparted to the rock plate 35. As the stack of bottles supported by the rod 59 in engagement with the regulating roller 83 descends, the next above bottle 77 contacts the rod 58 and moves rod 58 downward from its uppermost position into engagement with tumbler plate 81 The downward movement of rod 58 in contact with tumbler plate 50 imparts a clockwise rotation of rock plate 35, such rotation continuing under the influenceof the downward movement of rod 50 until the rock plate 35 rotates clockwise to the point that latch 24 drops between stops 3.7 and 38, and the latch 24 finally engages stop 37.. The rock plate 35. is now locked against further rotation and the arm 58 and the bottle '77 and those bottles above it are prevented from further downward movement by the locked rock plate 35. Bottle '77 and those bottles above it are now supported on rod 58.

The bottle 76 on arm 59 now separates from bottle 77 and those bottles above bottle 77 and is permitted to continue its downward movement as the roller 83 rotates to its lowermost position. By the time the rod 59 reaches its lowermost position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, the bottle 76 has rolled off the rod 59 and is thus dispensed. The unloaded arm 59: is now free to return to its uppermost position rocking the tumbler plate 79 on the pivot 42 out of the path of rod 59,. The spring 45 returns the tumbler plate 79 to its upright position against outturned portion 44- of rock plate 35. I

Roller 83, makes a complete revolution and returns to its upper position at which point motor is de-energized. The apparatus is then ready for another dispensing cycle. The mechanism is now in the same condition as the right hand mechanism in FIG. 1. I

It is evident that the entire dispensing action has proceeded rat a regulated speed pnoviding no undue shock or jar on the bottles.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4. and 5 operates in the same general manner as that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but has certain of the elements rearranged and employs a vertically reciprocating retarder bar rather than a roller to retard speed of dispensing. In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the bin for the bottles in staggered stacks are between side walls 11 and 12, back wall 14 and face plate 13. A bracket 92 for each stack of bottles is mounted on face plate 13 and rock plate 93 is mounted in bracket 92 on pivot 94. Rock plate 93 has an arcuate upper edge 95. provided with stops 96, and 97. Latch 98 is pivoted at 9. in bracket 92 and is spring loaded by spring 1% to position shown in FIG. 4. a

Solenoid coil 101 is mounted on bracket 92 and has armature 1il2 with arm 1M, pivoted at 1%. Arm 104 has extension 105 riding in slot 106 of bracket 92 and terminates in shoulder 1197 which engages latch 98. Spring 108. extends from arm 104 to extension 1%? of face plate 13 to urge arm 104 to raised position as seen in FIG. 4.

Sold-out switch 1101's mounted adjacent extension 109 to actuate suitable indicia in the electrical circuit, in known manner, when the stack is empty.

At the lower end of rock plate 93 tumbler plates 113 and 114 are pivotally mounted at 111 and 112, respectively. Tumbler plates 113 and 114 project over arcuate slots 115 and 116, respectively, let into face plate 13. Support rod 117 extends through slot 115 and is mounted for rotation in rear wall 14-. Arm 118 extends from the end of rod 117 to pivot 119 carried. by bracket 120 mounted on front wall 13. Support rod 121 extends through slot 116 and is mounted for rotation in rear wall 14. Arm 122 extends from the end of rod 121 and is pivotally' mounted at 123 on bracket 124 which is secured to frontwall 13. Suring 125. urges tumblers 1 13 and 124 into engage out with stop 126 carried by rock plate $9 Vertical tracks 127 and 128 are carried by side walls 11 and 12, respectively, and receive rollers 1 219. and 1 311, respectively, mounted for rotation atthe ends of retarder bar 131. As seen in FIG. 4, retarder bar is disposed beneath the ends of the support bars for engagement therewith. Slide bar 132 ismounted parallel to bar 131- and is provided wth slots 133 and 134 into which studs 135and 136 proiect. Studs 135 and 136 are.- carried by front wall 1-3, Parallel links137, 138. and 139 extend between bars 131 and 132 and are pivoted thereto as at 1,411, and 141, respectively, for bar-137. Therefore, when 7 slide bar 132 is moved to the right as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, bar 131 moves downwardly and when bar 132 is moved to the left from the dotted position of FIG. 3, bar 131 will be raised to its upper position.

Reciprocating movement of slide bar 132 is provided by electric motor 142 which rotates shaft 143 and arm 144 secured thereto. Arm 144 is pivoted at 145 to link 146 which in turn is pivoted at 147 to slide bar 132. With this construction, one complete revolution of motor shaft 143 will move bar 131 from its upper position to its lower position and then return bar 131 to its upper position. Since the support rods bear on bar 131, the speed of movement of bar 131 controls the movement of the support bars and the speed of dispensing of the apparatus. As before, the speed of rotation of motor 142 is selected to provide a continuous controlled dispensing movement at a speed which prevents shocks and jars on the bottles in the stacks and which moves the bottle to be dispensed to dispensing position at retarded uniform speed.

The dispensing action of coil 101, latch 98, rock plate 93, tumblers 113 and 114, and support rods 117 and 121 is generally the same as that described for the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 and need not be repeated. It should be noted that in the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, shoulder 107 is disengaged from latch 38 on its downward stroke by extension 105 of arm 104 engaging the bottom of slot 106 to rotate arm 104 counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 4. When coil 101 is deenergized spring 108 returns arm 104 to its upper position for another dispensing cycle.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, when a support bar is released in the dispensing cycle motor 142 is already energized and shaft 143 is rotating slowly. The released support rod engages retarder bar 131 and can move downwardly only at the rate of movement of bar 131. Further, the support rod taking the weight of the bottles in the dispensing stack can move downwardly and rock plate 33 back to locked position at the rate determined by bar 131. When bar 131 reaches its lower position as seen in dotted lines in FIG. 3, the bottle is dispensed and the dispensing support rod returns to its upper position under the action of its associated spring. Motor 142 continues to rotate shaft 143 through a complete rotation to return retarder bar 131 to its upper position for the next dispensing cycle.

While FIG. 1 shows two stacks of bottles and associated dispensing mechanism with a single retarding roller 83 for both and while FIG. 3 shows three side by side stacks of bottles with associated dispensing mechanism and with a single retarder bar 131 for the three stacks, it is apparent that as many stacks of bottles can be arranged in side by side relationship as may be desired and but one retarder device, roller or bar, will be required. This simplifies construction and reduces the cost of the retarder mechanism for machines having more than one stack of bottles.

A suitable electric circuit for the solenoids or coils and for the retarder motor of the embodiments described above is shown schematically in FIG. 6. This circuit diagram shows the essential elements of a post-select circuit for a vending machine using individual solenoids to effect the actuation of dispensing mechanism having a common retarding device operated by an electric motor. Sold-out switches and port door switches are omitted for clarity and only two solenoids representing two selections or two stacks of bottles are shown in the circuit, even though any number might be used. Various circuits might be devised to give satisfactory operation of the mechanism, however, the post-select circuit is judged by many to be most satisfactory, and therefore it is the one that is illustrated.

When a coin is deposited it causes the coin actuated switch 48 to make contact across the normally open contact, which energizes the vend relay 149. Vend relay 143 will remain energized until the carrier switch contacts in the normally closed position are broken. The vend relay 149 will remain energized after the coin is deposited so that the customer can make a selection by pressing either the No. 1 selection push-button switch 151 or the No. 2 selection push-button switch 152, which will energize its respective selection relay 153 or 154. The selection relay now energized will interrupt the circuit to the selection push-button, and will remain energized until the vend relay 149 is deenergized. Current is now delivered through the selection relay contacts to the selection solenoid 155 or 156 and to the retarder motor 157. Retarder motor 157 advances the switch cam 158 until carrier switch 150 is operated, the normally open contacts then being closed and the circuit is interrupted through the normally closed contacts. Interruption of the circuit through the normally closed contacts of carrier switch 150 will cause vend relay 149 to be deener-gized. The appropriate selection relay 153 or 154 will also be deenergized, since it receives its holding current from the vend relay contacts. Motor 157 will continue to run on current supplied through the normally open but now closed contacts of carrier switch 150. As motor 157 completes one revolution switch cam 158 is moved to release the carrier switch 150 actuator, the circuit is interrupted and motor 157 stops. A dispensing cycle is then completed and the circuit is ready for another dispensing cycle.

The circuit is post-select in that the customer is permitted to make his selection after he has deposited the coin, and credit will be held until he does make a selection. A feature of the circuit is that the selection solenoids are energized individually, depending upon the selection that is made, but the retarder motor is energized for every selection that is made. Another feature of the circuit is that when a selection push-button switch is energized, it energizes the selection relay which in turn interrupts the circuit to the selection switches, preventing the selection being changed once it is made. This eliminates the possibility of additional solenoids being energized and more than one bottle being dispensed. Another feature is that the selection circuit is not completed until the coinactuated switch returns to its normally closed position.

It should now be apparent that the present invention in every way satisfies the several objectives discussed above.

Changes in or modifications to the illustrative embodiments described above may now be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the present inventive concept. For example, the cans or bottles need not be arranged in staggered stack but may be arranged in any suitable type of vertical stack as shown in the copending application of Harry R. Payne entitled Dispensing Mechanism with Motor Driven Regulator. The bottle releasing mechanism need not be limited to a single step release as described above but may include multistep release mechanisms as described and claimed in the copending application of Harry R. Payne and Jack M. Womack, Serial No. 98,062, filed March 24, 1961, now US. Patent No. 3,107,812 of October 22, 1963, and entitled Dispensing Mechanism for Articles in Staggered Stack. Both of these copending applications being owned by the assignee of the present application. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims to determine the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending mechanism of the type in which an article is dispensed from the bottom of a stack of articles by an article support which when released descends with said article by gravity to an article dispensing position, means for retarding the rate of descent of said support and article comprising a retarder normally disposed in standby position for engagement by said support when released, and a substantially constant speed energy conversion means actuated simultaneously with release of said support for providing descending movement of said re-' tarder in the path of movement of said descending support to said dispensing position.

2. Mechanism as described in claim 1 including a latch for said article support, means for releasing said latch, said latch releasing means including a solenoid and said means for moving said ret-arder including an electric motor energized when said solenoid is energized and moving said retarder until the bottle is dispensed and then returning 3 said retarder to standby position.

3. Mechanism as described in claim 1, said retarder including an eccentrically mounted roller and said retarder moving means including an electric motor rotating said roller through one revolution.

4. Mechanism as described in claim 1, said retarder including a bar reciprocal at right angles to its length, parallel links pivoted to said bar for reciprocating said bar and said retarder moving means including an electric motor and crank means coupling said motor to said links.

18 5. Mechanism as described in claim 1, said retarder including a bar reciprocal at right angles to its length, a second bar reciprocal along its length, parallel links ivoted to said bars and said retarder moving means including an electric motor and crank means coupling said motor to said second bar.

References (Zited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,714 1/44 Garner 221293 X 2,438,502 3/48 Holt 221118 X 2,604,577 7/52 Strickland et al.

2,762,524 9/56 Johnson 221-67 2,878,961 3/59 Voorhees et a1. 221-67 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. HADD S. LANE, Examiner. 

1. IN A VENDING MECHANISM OF THE TYPE IN WHICH AN ARTICLE IS DISPENSED FROM THE BOTTOM OF A STACK OF ARTICLES BY AN ARTICLE SUPPORT WHICH WHEN RELEASED DESCENDS WITH SAID ARTICLE BY GRAVITY TO AN ARTICLE DISPENSING POSITION, MEANS FOR RETARDING THE RATE OF DESCENT OF SAID SUPPORT AND ARTICLE COMPRISING A RETARDER NORMALLY DISPOSED IN STANDBY POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID SUPPORT WHEN RELEASED, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT SPEED ENERGY CONVERSION MEANS ACTUATED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH RELEASE OF SAID 